(06-04-2016 Dacono Colorado) On an absolutely gorgeous Colorado Spring evening dominating victories in every division were the theme of Tower’s Night Out at Colorado National Speedway. Jace Hansen from Broomfield in the Late Models, Kyle Ray from Littleton in the Grand American Modifieds, Ron O’Neil from CO Springs in the Mod Coupes, and Commerce City’s Jereme Wall in the Figure 8s all won their feature events by a huge margins.
Palomino Industries Late Models
Wade Grove in the orange #3 Late Model and Kyle Patee in the #90 represented the front row in the 30 lap Palomino Industries Late Model feature event but it was #08 Jace Hansen who made a daring move to the front before the 1st lap was complete. Hansen who has already won two Super Late Model feature events this season looked determined as he began to build a lead on the field. Behind the leader #7 Ethan Penrod moved into 2nd place but didn’t seem to be gaining on Hansen.
Jace Hansen on route to winning his first Late Model feature of 2016 (Starr photo)
#32 Brett Yackey who has won the previous two Late Model feature events started well back in 7th position was involved in an early caution flag but was now working his way up through the field to pressure Penrod for 2nd place. Yackey would eventually pass Penrod but would need a caution to have any chance at catching Hansen who was way out in front.
Hansen ran smooth and navigated lapped traffic with ease winning his first Late Model feature of 2016. Yackey would settle for 2nd place and holds a narrow 3 point lead in the standings over Penrod who finished 3rd. #31 Derek Smith and impressive rookie #18 Michael Valentine took home 4th and 5th.
Jace Hansen in winner’s circle after dominating the Late Model feature on Tower’s Night Out (Starr photo)
The Late Models return to action on July 2nd for night one of the HUGE 2-Day 4th of July race at CNS.
FEATURE: #08 Jace Hansen FAST DASH: #18 Michael Valentine DASH: #49 Dennis Pobanz QUICK TIME: #32 Brett Yackey 17.878
SUNOCO Race Fuels Grand American Modifieds
It was the Kyle Ray show in the SUNOCO Race Fuels Grand American Modifieds as the Littleton Colorado driver started on the outside of the front row and led every lap of the caution free feature event. Ray in the silver #58 would eventually build a 7 second lead on his nearest competitor before taking the checkered flag and the win.
#88 Jeff Walbaum was all alone in 2nd place but well behind the leader with 10 laps remaining. By far the best battle on the track was #13 Darin Clark and #44 Justin Case who thrilled the fans racing wheel to wheel for 3rd place. As the laps wound down Case would takeover 3rd place and begin to pressure Walbaum for 2nd but it wouldn’t be enough as Walbaum held him off until the conclusion of the race.
#58 Kyle Ray takes the checkered after leading every lap of the SUNOCO Fuels Grand American Modified feature event (Starr photo)
The win was Ray’s first of 2016 in the Grand American Modifieds and moves him up to 4th place in the standings. Heading into their next race June 25th the top 5 in points are: Case, O’Neil, Walbaum, Ray and Clark.
FEATURE: #58 Kyle Ray FAST DASH: 57b Brady Balderston DASH: #66 John Seely QUICK TIME: #0 Ron O’Neal 17.702
Galitiz Trucking Mod Coupes
#48 Michael Cox and 6d Rick Duckworth filled out the front row at the start of the Galitz Trucking Mod Coupe feature event. Cox had a very slow start and lost several positions before the field entered turn 2. A great 3 car battle for the lead between Duckworth, #5 Jason Bunt and #3 Ron O’Neil added some excitement to the feature but eventually O’Neil would take control by going low in turn 2.
The Mod Coupes take the green flag! (Starr photo)
Bunt would leave the track with mechanical issues allowing #34 Randy Whitman to take over 2nd place. Yet O’Neil was blazing a trail out front building a near 5 second lead on the rest of the field. O’Neil went on to win his first Mod Coupe feature of 2016 followed by Whitman, #90 Frank Denning III, Duckworth, and Cox.
#3 Ron O’Neil wins the Galitz Trucking Mod Coupe main event (Starr photo)
O’Neil, Whitman, and Denning are separated by just 5 points in the standings which means the Mod Coupes could be a division to follow if you like tight points battles. The Mod Coupes return to action Saturday July 9th.
Chick-fil-A Figure 8s
Moments after Jared Wall in the #52 car worked his way around Brent Cave in he #9 car to take the lead in the Chick-fil-A Figure 8 feature he promptly pulled off the racing surface with mechanical problems and his night was done. Jared was likely the only car on the track who could have given his brother Jereme a run for his money in the race. Jereme Wall started back in 8th position yet methodically moved to the front eventually passing Cave for the lead.
#15 Jereme Wall approaches cross traffic in the “X” as 27x and #4 Sean Smith battle for position (Starr photo)
Once out front Wall set sail and built an insurmountable lead on the field. Behind Wall a fantastic battle for 2nd place heated up between Cave and #50 Justin McKeachie as the two cars traded paint for several laps to the cheers of the large CNS crowd. Not to be out done 27x Luke Zike and #4 Sean Smith were having a battle of their own for 4th position. While there was some exciting passes through the “X” the real excitement was watching these two battles for position.
When the checkered flag flew it was Jereme Wall easily winning his 3rd straight feature event with McKeachie and Cave in 2nd and 3rd. Smith squeezed out Zike to grab 4th place.
Jereme Wall celebrates in winner’s circle after winning his 3rd straight Figure 8 feature event at CNS (Starr photo)
The Figure 8s return to action again this week during the NAPA/Toyota 150 June 11th.
OFFICIAL RESULTS
Late Models Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 08 Jace Hansen Broomfield 2. 32 Brett Yackey Greeley 3. 7 Ethan Penrod Thornton 4. 31 Derek Smith Gering 5. 18 Mike Valentine (R) Gering 6. 3 Wade Grove Thronton 7. 90p Kyle Patee (R) Thornton 8. 49 Dennis Pobanz Colorado Springs 9. 19 Robert Davey Aurora 10. 29 Rayshawn Carter Commerce City 11. 27 Wendi Lewis Johnstown 12. 30 Jan Oxley Ft Lupton 13. 6 Jason Sharp Fountain 14. 16 Ryan McFadden Divide
Grand American Modifieds Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 58 Kyle Ray Littleton 2. 88 Jeff Walbaum Brighton 3. 44 Justin Case Brighton 4. 13 Darin Clark Cheyenne 5. 0 Ron ONeil Colorado Springs 6. 57B Brady Balderston Parker 7. 66 John Seely Parker 8. 55 Gary Land (R) Littleton 9. 25 Dan Jagoditsh Cheyenne 10. 88S Brad Skufca (R) Cheyenne 11. 51 Joe Mares Jr (R) Aurora
Mod Coupes Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 3 Ron O’Neil CO Springs 2. 34 Randy Whitman Ft Collins 3. 90 Frank Denning III Golden 4. 6d Rick Duckworth Arvada 5. 48 Michael Cox (R) Englewood 6. 6 Matt Venable Lakewood 7. 5 Jason Bunt Littleton DNS 15 Edric Sanchez Denver
Figure 8s Pos No. Name Hometown 1. 15 Jereme Wall Commerce City 2. 50 Justin McKeachie Aurora 3. 9 Brent Cave Thornton 4. 4 Sean Smith Littleton 5. 27x Luke Zike Arvada 6. 10 Frank Gastineau Denver 7. 17 Harry Livermore Jr. Denver 8. 01 Michael Haywood Greeley 9. 12 Harvey Webb Jr Longmont 10. 81 David Smith Englewood 11. 52 Jared Wall Commerce City 12. 69 Tammy Totos Commerce City